Southwest Regional Youth Talent Finalists Named

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Regional winners have been named in the Arkansas State Fair Youth Talent competition Monday evening in Little Rock and they will compete for the state title on Saturday.

Brooklyn Greer,13, of El Dorado won the regional vocal solo competition. She is a student at Parkers Chapel and has studied vocal training for three years. She sang "Everything's Coming Up Roses." She is the daughter of Blanche Greer.

The Magnolia Melodies won the regional vocal group competition for their rendition of "The Song That Goes Like This" from the Broadway musical Spamalot."

Members of the group are Lilly Giles, 12, daughter of Carol Clegs; Jessica Williamson, 12, daughter of Kim Williamson; Sarah Beth Guevara, 11, daughter of Deborah Guevara; Marissa Dees, 13, daughter of Rhonda Dees; Katy Hicks, 12, daughter of Laurie Dees; and Janea Dupree, 13, daughter of Wendy Dupree.

Colt Thompson, 16, of Magnolia was the regional winner of the instrumental solo competition. He is the son of Bethany Thompson Allens and he played "Mystical Tarantella" on the piano.

Jordan Burns, 17, of Norphlet and a senior at Norphlet High School won the regional dance solo competition with his dance and moonwalking to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." He is the son of Tonya Burns.

The regional dance group competition was won by a group of 11-year-old elementary school girls from Magnolia called the KDAS Dancers. The team consists of Payton Turner, daughter of Amy Taylor, Ryley Jadan, daughter of Deanne Kelly, Jordan Denan, daughter of Terre Fort, Claire Kendall, daughter of Mona Kendall and Courtney Huffman, daughter of Staca Huffman. They danced to "Playground Posse."

Dequeen's Laney Baker, 10, finished first in the regional variety competition. She is the daughter of Stephanie Baker and a student at Horatio Elementary School. She performed "Spanish Rose" in a musical theatre dance.

Reagan Grubbs, 13 and her sister Ryann, 12, of Delight were awarded the Bob Evans Memorial Award for their clogging performance of "Summer Nights." They both attend Delight High School.

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